Thoughts on shooting a deer the 1st day of the season assuming you only have 1 tag

Primarily a hypothetical question. Maybe this does apply to someone?

Let's say you only get one tag per year. Let's say a very good buck, but not the biggest buck you've ever seen, walks by on opening day. If you shoot that deer your season is only 1 day long and you can't bow hunt deer for another year. Do you take the shot?

Luckily most of us don't have this problem. If you shoot a buck opening day most of us can still hunt for does or in some areas for another buck.

But if I only had one tag per year I would have a hard time ending my season at one day. That would be a long "off-season".


Thoughts?

 

I think most can not answer this question honestly. They've never been put In this position (one tag per year).

 

I think I can using my imagination.

I likely would not shoot that deer. It would be too tough to be "one and done' for a whole season.

It brings up the question. What is more important? A long fulfilling season? Or simply killing a good buck?

 

I ponder this same question for upcoming Elk hunt...8-9 days to hunt, one tag...Cow Elk at 10 yards on first day. Initially I thought I'd wait for a bull for a couple days...the more knowledge I get of Elk hunting, and listening to those with experience (and I've never gone)...I'm thinking it's Elk backstraps on the first night

 

I admire the heck out of you. Every year you hold out till the last few days and then if you still have that tag you get after a doe. I don't know if I would have quite the passion for hunting if I was in a one and done situation.

I think that a 100 percent trophy hunter would not have a problem with this situation as they would hunt till they saw their trophy and then take it, but someone who likes to kill big bucks but enjoys shooting does and eating venison would have a greater problem with the question asked.

Putting myself in the situation, if PA ever held me to one tag, I would 100 percent have to hunt OH, WVA, MD etc for some of the season. I'd likely go doe hunting in W. VA with a friend who has land out there and hold for my buck here.

 

Ah cmon Ben that is a "cop out" answer. :p

You know and understand the intent of the question. We know some hunters would have to go out of state to feed their addiction. I'm fine with that. Try and keep the question and answer hypothetical. Would you end your season at one day if that was your only choice?

 

If a buck that fit my personal goals walked past me on opening day, I am putting metal through it's ribcage.

 

Me as well.

I do also agree with Ben. If I only had one tag my butt would definitely be traveling to bordering states.

 

Showing my age here, but back in the day PA was one & done.
I would (and have back then) shot a buck on the opener & been done. Even a couple years where I could get a buck & doe, I was done in a week. There is more to do in the fall than just deer hunt.

BZ711
If you've never elk hunted before, I recommend taking any shot a legal elk gives you. There are no garuntees of getting 1 shot at an elk, let alone 2 in one years hunt.

 

Ok, cop out's aside. If I didn't apply for doe tags this year and on Oct. 2nd (first day) a buck that I'm proud of walks in front of me, I'm dropping the string and picking up a camera and my climber for the season and spending time in the tree with a brother, a father in law, and an assortment of friends. Good thread GFY.

 

Hells yea i would be taking the shot, by no means would my season be over if im tagged out. It would give me alot more time to film my bros, and get in a lot of small game hunting that i usually can't partake in because im to busy chasing deer.

 

That is a great point on filming others to provide that hunting rush even if it's not you releasing the arrow.

 

Yes, without a doubt, a deer i'm willing to shoot a month or two months into the season, will also get shot day one. i have let many deer walk by me, however i've never let a deer that i want to harvest walk by me(minus the bad shot scenarios and such). i can't imagine not shooting a deer that gives me the chance, just because it's the first day or whatever. if i'm hunting a specific deer, that is different, but a good deer in the hunters estimation is a good deer, reguardless the time of the season

 

Well, unfortunetly here in Idaho we only get ONE tag. I have been pondering this question all spring. I'll be doing some early season hunting for muley up high. Honestly i'm afraid to shoot one for fear of missing out on the whitetail rut. However, if I felt the buck was right i'd be at full draw in a heartbeat.

Regardless i'd stil be the in thestand tag or not to take notes and film.

 

Never pass a animal on the first day that you would shoot on the last day.

 

At this stage in the game, if it's deer I want to shoot, I am pulling the trigger.

More time for family!!!

 

X2. Last year was the earliest I've ever ended my archery season (buck tag wise), and I enjoyed pursuing turkey's in the fall again.

To answer the question, I most certainly would drop the string on opening day even if it was a one and done situation.

 

Never pass up on the first day what you wouldn't on the last.........

I'd absolutely put a tag on that deer on the FIRST day of the season if that opportunity were presented.

 

I was in this very situation back when PA was one & done (showing my age too). I dropped the string on a doe opening morning of PA's archery season with the intent of ending my deer season right there with my first bow kill. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective) I missed and was able to continue to hunt.

I agree with Rybo, there is plenty more to do if your tags are filled. I could get out and do some small game hunting, film for friends, sit with a still camera, spend time with family, etc. Plenty of options to keep you busy if the right opportunity presents itself.

That said, I don't have to worry about it since I have numerous tags and hunt multiple states.

 

Easy one. There are no guarantees that you'll see a bigger buck for the rest of your season. If I have a nice buck come by, no matter what day of the season, then I'd take it. Yes, the season would be over for me, but the goal is not to see how many days I can sit in a stand, it's to put food on the table and have something hanging on the wall to remind me of the hunt.